Round two for Steens Mountain development

OREGON -- In southeastern Oregon, a couple has come up
with a new approach for developing the 160 acres they own on Steens
Mountain, the massif that Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt is
eyeing for federal protection as a national monument (HCN,
11/22/99: Go tell it on the mountain).

This time,
John and Cindy Witzel, who own Steens Mountain Packers, propose to
build a school for outfitters and packers. According to documents
filed with Harney County, the school would include 19 cabins, a
dormitory, cafeteria, two libraries and administrative
space.

In 1997, the couple proposed a 25-room
lodge, gift shop and restaurant, but withdrew their request for a
change in county zoning when public opposition swelled.

"The politics weren't looking so good, so we
withdrew our application," says John Witzel. Opponents, such as
Friends of Oregon, said the 30-mile-long basalt mountain should be
kept free of commercialization and overgrazing by cattle.

Bill Marlett, director of the Oregon Natural
Desert Association, called the latest development proposal a
"totally transparent" attempt to get around zoning
constraints.

In a letter to Harney County
planners, the owners said that their proposed school was subject
neither to zoning approval nor a conditional use permit. They cited
an Oregon statute stipulating that schools are an "outright allowed
use" on agricultural land.

Marlett said to
protect the mountain from development, an "overarching designation"
was crucial. Mary Healey, spokeswoman for Oregon Sen. Gordon Smith,
R, disagreed. She said as long as owners go through the appropriate
process, "Sen. Smith believes those of us in Washington, D.C.,
shouldn't be telling people in Oregon what to do with their land."

Marlett said to protect the mountain from
development, an "overarching designation" was crucial. Mary Healey,
spokeswoman for Oregon Sen. Gordon Smith, R, disagreed. She said as
long as owners go through the appropriate process, "Sen. Smith
believes those of us in Washington, D.C., shouldn't be telling
people in Oregon what to do with their land."

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